Strange chicken behaviour - only one left

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clairedurrant

clairedurrant

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My chicken has been acting very strange over the past few weeks, she's the only one left (all her sisters died a month or so ago) and I can't get any more chickens. Everyday she sits in her nesting box and would stay there (she doesn't lay eggs any more) and so I get her out and put her down and she sits there and lifts her feathers and makes strange penguin noises!! then she gets up and shakes and walks around a bit then goes back to her nesting box her comb is also quite pale. I think she's depressed if that can be a thing for chickens and i'm not sure if it's fair anymore... I'd like some opinions on what to do? She still eats and drinks but only when she's out and free ranging.
 
clairedurrant said:
My chicken has been acting very strange over the past few weeks, she's the only one left (all her sisters died a month or so ago) and I can't get any more chickens. Everyday she sits in her nesting box and would stay there (she doesn't lay eggs any more) and so I get her out and put her down and she sits there and lifts her feathers and makes strange penguin noises!! then she gets up and shakes and walks around a bit then goes back to her nesting box her comb is also quite pale. I think she's depressed if that can be a thing for chickens and i'm not sure if it's fair anymore... I'd like some opinions on what to do?  She still eats and drinks but only when she's out and free ranging.
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It does sound like she's depressed. Lonely isn't just hard for people. What did her sisters die from? Anythibg contagious? Could you rehome her?
 
chickens are social creatures so it's best to have at least 2 of them at all time--

go get another chicken or two before it gets worst
 
would getting chicks be an option or hatching eggs she wouldnt have the added stress of the pecking order ordeal and disease would be less likely than buying adult chickens.Im not sure if the risk is greatly reduced but ive learned my lesson about adding newcomers to the flock QUARANTINE ......SO goodluck and godspeed.
plus ..it sounds like shes hanging out in the nesting box for some reason anyways.
 
SORRY JUST REREAD AND SAW U CANT GET MORE CHICS PERIOD .SO YES REHOME WITH THE WARNING THAT HER SIBLINGS DIED.....
 
welcome-byc.gif


How old is the hen?

What breed is she?

When did she quit laying?

What happened to the other birds?

She sounds broody to me, but that's going to depend on how long it's been since she laid.
 
she's about 4 and a mendlesham ranger.
she stopped laying about 4 months ago the others suffered from peritonitis and a neurone problem. nothing contagious.
 

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